Louisville Slugger awarded their Silver Slugger awards and two Astros earned the award as the top offensive player at their positions. Yordan Alvarez won for designated hitters while Jose Altuve was the best offensive second baseman.
Established in 1980, the Louisville Slugger Silver Sluggers are the top offensive honors in the MLB, voted on by managers and coaches throughout the league.
Altuve, 32, hit .300 in the regular season with 28 home runs, 57 RBIs, 103 runs, 18 stolen bases, and a .921 OPS in 141 games. He went to his eighth All-Star game and led the majors in leadoff homers with 12. He ranked second in the AL in runs, third in OPS, third in slugging, fourth in on-base percentage, and eighth in batting average. Among the second baseman, however, Altuve led in homers, hits, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and runs. This is Altuve’s sixth Silver Slugger award (2014-2018, 2022), which gives him the most in franchise history.
Alvarez, 25, hit .306 with a career-high 37 home runs, 97 RBIs, 95 runs scored, 29 doubles, 78 walks, and a staggering 1.019 OPS in 135 games. He earned his first-ever appearance in the All-Star game and ranked second in the AL in OPS, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage. He also ranked third in home runs, fourth in batting average, tied for fourth in walks and tied for fifth in RBIs. This is Alvarez’s first career Silver Slugger.
13 Astros have won a Silver Slugger, including Altuve, Alvarez, Alex Bregman (2019), George Springer (2017, 2019), Carlos Lee (2007), Morgan Ensberg (2005), pitcher Mike Hampton (1999), Moises Alou (1998), Jeff Bagwell (1994, 1997, 1999), Craig Biggio (1989, 1994-95, 1997-98), Glenn Davis (1986), Jose Cruz (1983-984), and Dickie Thon (1983).
In other Astros news, General Manager James Click and the organization have decided to part ways after failing to reach an agreement on a contract extension.